Roadtrip Hidden Gems near Metro Manila

Destination Drive: 4 Roadtrip Hidden Gems near Metro Manila

Living in the concrete jungle that is Manila, with a work schedule allowing you to barely breathe (and the urban smog that often gets in the way of fresh air), can often turn your stressed out hardworking self craving for a quick escape -- the easiest solution being a short roadtrip to anywhere exciting to refuel yourself with new and interesting experiences that will boost your mood. For the veteran roadtripper, though, not just any destination will do. After all, frequent daytripping from Metro Manila has lead travelers to stick to their 'tried and tested' mainstream cities -- which leads to everyone and their grandmother's dog going to the same getaway places all the time.

A little change is good once in a while, and discovering hidden gems while others go through their same old roadtrip itinerary is always exciting. Ready to go off the beaten track? Round up your travel buddies and fuel your wanderlust by exploring these three underrated destinations just a short roadtrip away from Manila.

Visit The Philippines: A 2015 Backpacking Guide to Experiencing Paradise

 By ClickTheCity

With 7,107 islands, the Philippines is every traveler's dream not only to foreigners but to locals as well. From chilling on beaches, chowing down savory dishes, climbing mountains to just relaxing, there are a number of activities you could do in the country.

First up, where to stay? Looking for places to stay at these days aren't as difficult as it was back then. There are a number of online booking websites offering places to stay at affordable prices. Agoda for example has the cheapest offerings when it comes to hotel booking with discounts up to 75%. However, note that prices can change quickly so act fast when you want to book something.

12 Essential Things To Do When in Metro Manila

Travel Itinerary: 12 Essential Things To Do When in Metro Manila

by The Click List
Metro Manila, also known as the National Capital Region, is the Philippines' central hub for culture, economics, governance, and trade. Sixteen cities and one municipality make up this dense urban region, which is now considered as the 11th most populous metropolis in the world.
Manila is also one of the main gateways to the Philippines. Ninoy Aquino International Airport connects domestic flights and serves as jumping point to the smaller airports in the country. If you're coming from abroad and are headed to the pristine beaches of Coron or Boracay, you'll be most likely stopping by Manila in between flights.

Whether you're in Manila for a prolonged layover or staying for a short break, make the most out of your visit by doing these quintessential activities every first-time visitor must do.

Panagbenga - Baguio City's Annual Flower Festival

Every last weekend of February, locals and tourists alike fill the lengthy sidewalks of Session and Harrison Roads to immerse themselves in what DOT Secretary Ramon Jimenez calls the “360 degree spectacle” of Panagbenga Festival.

Panagbenga, Baguio City's annual flower festival, is a five-week long slew of activities that celebrate the season when flowers blossom. A Grand Opening Parade jump starts the festivities on the first day of the month. Exciting concerts, trade fairs, and pageants follow forth on the days after but it isn't until the last Saturday and Sunday of February when the festival highlight happens.

Exploring Pampanga in One Day By The Culture ShockPh Group

A day trip to Pampanga is one that's hard to plan not because of its distance from Manila, nor the lack of places to go to. In fact, what makes planning a day trip to this neighboring province (only about 16 kilometers from the metro) stressful is the abundance of trip-worthy destinations scattered all over its three cities and nineteen municipalities. With a long list of restaurants, historical landmarks, heritage churches and shrines to choose from, how can one fit every point of interest in Pampanga in just one day?